Publications

EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY

Most U.S. parents are anxious that their children’s future could be compromised if their education does not become more challenging. Expectations and Reality, a report from America Achieves, shows that these anxieties may be wellfounded—given that real educational improvements for U.S. students may not be keeping pace with parent hopes or with the rising educational bar in a changing economy. Results from a new parent survey reveal a significant gap between parent expectations for their children’s educational futures and actual educational attainment. Of every two families expecting their school aged child to become a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree, one is likely to be wrong.

MIDDLE CLASS OR MIDDLE OF THE PACK? A WAKE-UP CALL TO AMERICA’S MIDDLE CLASS

In the United States, people generally view education through the lens of their own children and their own schools. Many Americans think a serious need for better educational performance is largely restricted to low-income children and families—and that middle class lifestyles equate to a world-class education. While this need for low-income students is very real and very important, this report suggests that the need for better education extends deeply into America’s middle class.